Pharmacy Robberies

[DrFunky]

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I read an article in my local newspaper today - in my mid sized city of 450k, there have been 18 pharmacy robberies so far in 2017, by people with weapons (not sure what kind, this is Canada so probably not guns..?) trying to score fentanyl. To me this number seems crazy high for a city of my size, that's basically one robbery every other day. Just wondering if this is common everywhere or if this is just a localized issue currently.

I'm applying to pharmacy school, and I figured robberies would happen but just want to get a feel for how often I can expect to be robbed in different areas

 

[Niosh]

When I worked retail in a town of about 150k we got robbed once in a 5 year period. It was after hours, no one was in the store at the time.

 

[owlegrad]

Never been robbed on the job, don't know anyone who has been robbed on the job. I do know of one after-hours robbery of a pharmacy in my area at my previous company.

 

[ldiot]

I had a gun pointed in my face 2 years ago when I had just started but haven't been robbed since. In that case the pharmacist just ran over and handled the situation. I've never heard of anyone actually getting shot but I'm sure it happens.

 

[zelman]

I had a gun pointed in my face 2 years ago when I had just started but haven't been robbed since. In that case the pharmacist just ran over and handled the situation. I've never heard of anyone actually getting shot but I'm sure it happens.

MADERA PHARMACY OWNERS SURVIVE SHOOTING, 1 ARRESTED
Police: Bean Station pharmacy victims shot execution-style
Pharmacist Killed After Refusing to Give Robber Oxycodone
Four Shot Execution Style In New York Pharmacy Robbery

 

[deleted462159]

It's not extremely common, but it does happen: http://www.pharmacytimes.com/contri.../2015/07/top-20-states-for-pharmacy-robberies

I once visited a pharmacy a week after it was robbed in broad daylight. Robbers made the staff get on the floor. They emptied the registers & took some drugs. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

 

[ABCPharmD]

I'm curious if certain types of retail pharmacies get robbed more often. I'm guessing independents get robbed the most, then places like CVS/wags, then big box store pharmacies, then places like Costco/Sam's club where you have to have a membership to get in getting robbed the least.

 

[zelman]

I'm curious if certain types of retail pharmacies get robbed more often. I'm guessing independents get robbed the most, then places like CVS/wags, then big box store pharmacies, then places like Costco/Sam's club where you have to have a membership to get in getting robbed the least.

I don't know about that. Independent pharmacy owners are most likely to be armed.

 

[ABCPharmD]

I don't know about that. Independent pharmacy owners are most likely to be armed.

That's a good point. I didn't think of that. I was thinking fewer witnesses (since the store tends not to be as busy) = easier target.

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

I don't know about that. Independent pharmacy owners are most likely to be armed.

Yeah, I normally have a CZ-75b on my hip, but if anyone wants the contents of the safe, they can have it.

That gun is my ticket out of the pharmacy during a robbery.
They can have whatever they want, but if they attempt to stop me from leaving then the fight is on.

I'll be darned if I'm ever getting face down and just trusting someone not to punch my time card.

 

[ldiot]

I'd carry if it weren't against company policy but I feel like somehow someone would notice it eventually. If I were getting robbed I still wouldn't use it unless they were actually trying to harm me... why they would do that then when I am complying I am not sure but some of these guys are so cracked out they shoot anyways.

 

[lane one]

MADERA PHARMACY OWNERS SURVIVE SHOOTING, 1 ARRESTED
Police: Bean Station pharmacy victims shot execution-style
Pharmacist Killed After Refusing to Give Robber Oxycodone
Four Shot Execution Style In New York Pharmacy Robbery

Basically what Zelman is saying is, don't apply to pharmacy school...its far too dangerous...tell your friends...spread the word.

 

[Bugslife32]

customer: do you have promethazine with codeine? I want the hi-tech brand!
That **** will get you robbed sooner or later!

 

[Sine Cura]

If your big box stores have off-duty police officers as security that may be a deterrent. There tend to be cameras all over the place too.

 

[Varianiq]

I recently heard of an after-hour robbery where the robbers got in and out in about 3 minutes. People were guessing it was an inside job.

 

[Momus]

I wouldn't bet on inside job. 3 mins is not bad, all you need to know your exit strategy, scout ahead of time and time yourself police respond time... A smart robber knows all this.

That's how I do it if I plan a robbery...